Network-to-Network Bridge Bypassing PCIe Access Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The network access layer in existing computer systems acts as a bottleneck, limiting data transmission rates due to the need for packet encapsulation and decapsulation operations, which are time-consuming and inefficient, especially in cloud computing and wireless communication environments where multiple servers are required to handle increased service demands.
Innovation Solution
A network-to-network bridge design that eliminates the need for a network access layer by using a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus to transfer data between subsystems and main systems, allowing the transport and Internet layers to handle data encapsulation and decapsulation directly, thereby bypassing the conventional network access layer operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the conventional network access layer is used for data transmission between systems, then the data can be transmitted through standard Ethernet protocols, but the data transmission rate is limited by the need for packet encapsulation and decapsulation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the network access layer (physical layer and data link layer) from the data transmission path between systems. By eliminating this layer, the patent avoids the time-consuming packet encapsulation and decapsulation operations that normally occur at this layer, thereby directly improving data transmission speed between the transport layer and network interface card.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network protocol stack by separating the network access layer functions from the higher-level data transmission path. The network access layer is retained only at the boundary interfaces (network interface cards), while the internal communication between systems uses a simplified protocol without these layer operations, effectively dividing the system into segments with different protocol requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple subsystems are connected through Ethernet with network switches, then network connectivity is achieved, but the network adapter performance becomes the bottleneck limiting overall data transmission rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple subsystems into a single logical system through a bus interface, eliminating the need for separate network adapters and Ethernet switching infrastructure. By combining the network processing functions directly into the main system and subsystems, the patent removes the network adapter bottleneck and achieves higher overall throughput without the complexity of multiple network interface devices.
3Ease of operation
If the TCP/IP model with full protocol stack is used for data transmission, then standard network communication is achieved, but the encapsulation and decapsulation processes reduce transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lower layers (network access layer) from the TCP/IP protocol stack execution path. By eliminating these layers from the software processing chain, the patent reduces the time required for data preparation and processing while maintaining compatibility with standard network communication protocols at the higher layers.
Data Source
AI summary
A network-to-network bridge is provided. In one embodiment, the network-to-network bridge is coupled between a main system and a subsystem system. The main system includes a slot to couple with the subsystem, wherein the slot complies with the PCIe standard. The network-to-network bridge includes a transport layer and an internet layer but lacks of a network access layer allocated between the first main system and subsystem so as to transfer data by following the PCIe standard therebetween. The network-to-network bridge transfers data between the main system and the subsystem by accessing and employing their MAC addresses, and the network-to-network bridge can be allocated in the mainboard of the main system or the subsystem.